Football - Fernandes in QPR rallying cry

QPR chairman Tony Fernandes has stressed he is still looking forward with optimism after the disappointment of Saturday's 3-2 loss at Aston Villa, speaking of a "lifelong commitment" to the London outfit.

The R's remain rock-bottom, seven points from safety with eight games to play. In a message to the club's fans and staff published on Monday on its official website, Fernandes - the Malaysian businessman who took over QPR in 2011 - admits he is "feeling miserable" about the Villa loss, which followed back-to-back wins against Southampton and Sunderland.

But he has also emphasised the fight to avoid relegation will continue, that belief in the camp is strong and the project he is part of at Loftus Road is a long-term one, with "exciting" times ahead. Fernandes said: "I sit here in Malaysia feeling miserable. I am down. The fact that I and my other shareholders are feeling so miserable just means we care."

He added: "We should have won at the weekend and made it easier for ourselves, but we didn't. So what!

"There are still eight games to go. We beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (1-0 on January 2) and showed against Southampton and Sunderland that we are capable of putting wins together.

"And we have scored seven goals in our last three fixtures, so anything can happen. We fight and we fight. I am not despondent at all. QPR has come a long, long way from where we were, and the plan continues.

"We inherited a club that lacked so many things, and we are rebuilding every aspect. That's a huge challenge. In any business there will be hiccups. But this is not a one-year or two-year project. This is a lifelong commitment.

"The shareholders have that commitment. The journey ahead is so exciting. We need a new training ground, a new stadium, a more successful academy. That's so exciting. How can anyone feel down for too long?

"Forget Aston Villa. Focus on the future. The path in front of us is exciting.

"So come on, let's show the world NOW what type of club we are. We're a club that believes, a club that has passion, and a club that never gives up."